However, Norwich will play hard ball until the last minute, which means we run the risk of missing out on other more attainable targets.

Lambert has admitted a number 10 is a priority. The club should back him with whatever he needs to secure his targets.

The most telling result from the newspaper survey was the damning verdict on the board. Almost 80 per cent of the respondents were unhappy with Randy Lerner’s ownership and Paul Faulkner’s stewardship.

Their main gripe was not about transfer funds, but communication.

Lerner hasn’t been to Villa Park since December 2012; his last press conference was in 2010.

Is he still hands-on, and planning a more ambitious financial approach, or is he simply reducing costs to make Villa a more saleable asset? The thing is, we just don’t know.

A PLC would answer to investors, who would demand transparency when it comes to the business’s future.

Villa are privately owned. What Lerner wants to do with our club, he can. And, as with any business model, the customers are free to withdraw their custom.

But football doesn’t work like that. We’re not financial shareholders, I’d argue we’re emotional shareholders.

Will we return to being top half regulars under Lerner? Or are we destined to wallow in a sea of mediocrity?